Istanbul Ataturk Airport Manager Vedat Muftuoglu said on Tuesday that the extraordinary measures were taken at and around the airport during the visit of Pope Benedict XVI, who arrived in Ankara earlier in the day. The pope is scheduled to visit Istanbul, the largest Turkish city, after he wrapped up his visit in the capital city of Ankara and western city of Izmir.

 

Muftuoglu was quoted by the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported as saying that around 300 police officers, including sharp-shooters, would guard Ataturk Airport State Guest House during the pope's stay while all flights over the pope's route and activity venues would be prohibited.

 

He also disclosed that all media staff would have to go through ID check points before entering the airport.

 

Pope Benedict XVI visited Turkey at the invitation of Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.

 

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the pontiff shortly before his leaving for Riga for a NATO summit.

 

The four-day visit to Turkey is his first one to a predominantly Muslim country as a pope.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 29, 2006)